Chapter 15
SELENE
I inhale through my nose and exhale through my mouth. It’s time to confront Sebastian, and I need to remain calm. For once I’m not anxious and overthinking. I’m confident in my decision to leave Shadow and Light Gallery. It’s my temper I need to be concerned about.
The first thing I notice when I step through the doors is that Frederick is not there to greet me. Odd. Where is he?
“Selene!” the sharp bark of Sebastian’s voice startles me.
When I turn to look the bastard in the face, the first thing I notice is the massive black eye and bruise on his chin. I bring a hand to my face to hide my chuckle. Caiden must have really fucked him up.
“What’s so fucking amusing?” he asks, seething.
A giggle escapes from lips. So much for holding back. “Nothing. I just love knowing Caiden kicked your ass.”
Sebastian glowers at me, fists clenched at his sides. “You just lost your spot in the show.”
“I was coming to collect my pieces anyway.” I look around. “Where’s Frederick? I’ll work with him to get my art back.”
“He quit.”
My eyes widen. “Why?”
“Not that you need to know,” Sebastian spits, “but that traitor eavesdropped on our conversation yesterday while he was supposed to be giving your little friend a tour.”
Hope blossoms in my chest, warm and comforting. If Frederick overheard our conversation, I stand a chance of being believed if Sebastian tried to sully my name.
“I’m proud of him.” I clap my hands. “He was too good for you.”
Sebastian’s face turns a shade of red I didn’t think possible. “Get the fuck out,” he says, baring his teeth.
“Gladly,” I huff. “But I will be sending someone to collect my pieces.”
“You’re lucky I don’t destroy them.”
I bark out a sardonic laugh. “You may be able to smear my name in the local art scene, but I doubt the police will be as understanding.”
With that, I turn on my heel, hold my head high, and walk out the door. As soon as I step out into the humid evening air, I let out the breath I had been holding. Thank the goddess that confrontation is over and done with. Now I just need to call Jade and see if her husband, Flint, would be willing to pick up my pieces.
Just as I’m pulling my phone out of my pocket to make the call, a human woman who looks to be in her late 50’s, dressed in a stylish suit with a shock of silver hair and warm brown skin approaches me.
“Excuse me, but do you happen to know if the gallery is open?” she asks, adjusting her thick round glasses which match her baby blue suit.
“Umm … the show hasn’t started yet, if that’s what you’re wondering. But the owner is in if you needed to see that asshole.”
Oh shit.
My hands fly to my mouth. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have said that.”
The corner of her mouth quirks. “No need to apologize, dear. Mr. Johnson is, in fact, an asshole, as you so eloquently put it.”
Wait. Did this classy woman just call Sebastian Johnson an asshole?
The confusion and shock must have been plain on my face because she continued, “Are you a featured artist here at Shadow and Light?”
I square my shoulders, offering the woman a smile. “Not anymore. I just came to arrange getting my pieces out of there.”
She lifts an eyebrow and holds out her hand for me to take. “Priscilla Rosegold. And you are?”
My jaw is on the floor. “As in the owner of Dreamscapes?”
Priscilla chuckles. “The one and only.”
The feeling drains from my limbs, causing me to drop her hand that I’m currently shaking. “Holy shit!” Heat rushes to my cheeks and neck. I can’t believe I’ve cussed in front of the owner of the most prestigious gallery in Nashville … twice. “Oh my goddess! I’m so sorry.”
She waves me off. “It’s no big deal. I have quite the fucking mouth myself.”
Once again, shock courses through my body like lightning.
“Close your mouth, dear,” she says, patting me on the shoulder. “It’s unbecoming of such a pretty mothwoman as yourself.”
I snap my jaw closed with a click of my teeth.
“Much better.” Priscilla smiles. “You haven’t introduced yourself yet and I am oh so curious about the kind of woman who pulls out of a Sebastian Johnson show.”
“Oh!” I clear my throat. “How rude of me. My name is Selene Luminaire.”
Her eyes widen a fraction before her face settles into a bright smile. “Just who I wanted to see.”
“What?” I point to myself. “Me?”
“I wanted to see what critics are raving for myself. The photos of the exhibit are exquisite, but I know neon is more stunning in person.”
My antennae twitch. “Are you serious?”
She cocks her head, her light brown eyes flashing with curiosity. “Have you not heard?”
I shake my head. “I’ve been preoccupied.”
“Would you like to get a coffee with me? Well, decaf for me. I’m not nocturnal. But I would love to hear more about your work and where you see your art going.”
Excitement bubbles up my throat and comes outin a high-pitched giggle. My wings flutter, lifting me off the ground. “Yes! I would love to grab a coffee.”
“Excellent! There’s a quaint little cafe two blocks down and around the corner. Does that work for you? I don’t exactly want to stare at Mr. Johnson’s gallery any longer than I have to, and I assume you feel the same.”
“You would be correct,” I say with a chuckle.
As Priscilla and I make our way to the cafe, dizziness fights the edges of my vision as adrenaline pumps through my veins. I may not be flapping my wings, but I might as well be flying.
The fact that Priscilla Rosegold wants to discuss my career is something I never thought would happen to me. I always imagined Shadow and Light Gallery as my peak, but this? This is just the beginning. I can feel it now.
This will do things for my career that Sebastain could never do. Dreamscapes is a nationally famous art gallery. Tourists add it to their itineraries. Not only does this mean I have the potential to survive off my art alone, but I can be more discerning in the commissions I choose to take. My art will truly be mine.
And I get to do it all with Caiden by my side.